Business owners and residents in Limassol are protesting plans to build two shopping centres just 300 metres apart in the Agios Athanasios and Mesa Geitonia areas, raising concerns about economic pressure on local businesses and traffic congestion.
Both malls have secured positive opinions from the Environmental Authority and will soon be examined by the Development Study Review Board for licensing purposes. The final decision on their planning approval will be taken by the Council of Ministers.
Municipal councillor and representative of shopkeepers in the city's historic commercial centre Kristis Dimitriou described the situation as "absurd".
"It is not possible for the Planning Department to accept two applications for malls 300 metres apart. We have reached the point where a power game is being conducted between the two companies over which will prevail," he told Phileleftheros.
Dimitriou stressed that both applications concern areas outside the approved Area Plan, which does not permit such developments at these specific locations based on legislation the government itself has signed.
City councillor proposes Pentakomo as alternative location
As chairman of the municipality's Development Committee, Dimitriou said Limassol does not need additional shopping centres.
"The city is commercially covered. There are commercial streets, and there is the Mall of Limassol. But if there is evidence showing otherwise, then the new mall should be built outside the city limits. And we have already proposed an ideal location, Pentakomo, where the Technology Park is also to be erected. A mall there would ease traffic, would be outside the residential area and would serve all of Limassol district and other towns," he said.
Dimitriou made particular reference to the impact of uncontrolled mall construction in other cities.
"Malls dominated and destroyed historic commercial centres. We do not want to see Anexartisias Street in Limassol have the same fate. At this moment, the city's commercial heart is recovering. Shops are being rented at high prices, new businesses are being created and there is momentum in the market - something that has not existed since 2013. But if another mall is built so close, the big chains and foreign agencies will leave. Those are the instructions they receive from their headquarters," he said.
Dimitriou did not hide his disappointment with the state's stance towards small and medium-sized enterprises.
"How is it that politicians claim to care about small and medium-sized enterprises whilst at the same time developments that directly threaten them are moving forward? Let them go to Paphos and Larnaca to see how shopkeepers are struggling to survive. In Limassol we still have the blessing of a historic and viable commercial centre. Let us not destroy it," he stressed.
Retail sector faces staff shortages, not job creation needs
Addressing one of the main arguments in favour of the new malls - job creation - Dimitriou responded caustically that the retail sector faces a huge staff shortage.
"We do not need more jobs, we need workers. That is why we now see staff from third countries in bakeries, restaurants, kiosks, and shops. Let them not use employment as a pretext," he said.